SourceKATARAGAMA, SRI LANKA, September 1, 2003: A sixteen-day festival in honour of the God Kataragama (Murugan) has drawn huge crowds this year as pilgrims feel safe travelling on their island since the ceasefire of February, 2002. Walking on burning ambers, skewering cheeks and tongues with tiny spears, or piercing their backs with small hooks, devotees hope to assuage karma with…
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, September 9, 2003: For 24 years, the Kote area and the Kotiamaramma Temple in Channapatna taluk near here had remained tense every time a Ganesha icon passed through the locality. But this year, it was a big surprise for the residents as the local administration took the initiative to build bridges. Muslims of the area welcomed the procession…
SourceCALCUTTA, INDIA, September 8, 2003: Scientists report they have found evidence of the oldest human habitation in India, dating to two million years, on the banks of the Subarnarekha River. The 30-mile stretch between Ghatshila in the province of Jharkhand and Mayurbhanj in Orissa has reportedly yielded tools that suggest the site could be unique in the world, with evidence…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, September 4, 2003: Private television networks are turning to religion to tap a massive Hindu viewership, but say the religious channels are neither a platform to grab votes nor an attempt to peddle faith. TV channels like Aastha and Sanskar beam 24-hour religious programs to millions of homes, especially in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.…
SourceOMSK, RUSSIA, September 9, 2003: During Soviet times, Tsylyana Gorbunova and friends met discreetly every week in the rooms of Omsk’s Red Star Stadium in the early morning hours to secretly fulfill their spiritual needs. The group sat on shabby carpets and practiced a forbidden form of meditation called yoga. Three decades later, Gorbunova’s expertise in yoga is helping to…
SourceROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, September 12, 2003: The European Forum For Ayurveda is organizing the “International Expo & Symposium on Vedic Sciences” this year for the first time. It will be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 10, 11 and 12 October 2003. The main focus of the symposium will be: Ayurveda, Astrology and Culture. To participate in the symposium, or to come…
Source LONDON, ENGLAND, September 10, 2003: Britons are abandoning churches in droves, replacing traditional religion with activities that focus on themselves. But most people still believe in something, a poll revealed yesterday. Six out of ten of Britons believe in God and increasing numbers find Jesus inspirational, thanks to a rise in evangelical Christianity. Islam and alternative ideas such as…
SourceSOUTHALL, U.K., September 4, 2003: British Home Secretary David Blunkett was welcomed with a garland of flowers when he visited Shree Ram Mandir in Southall, Middlesex on Thursday. The Shree Ram Mandir is one of UK’s oldest temples. Mr. Blunkett was given a tour of the Deities and listened to a traditional instrumental performance on sitar as well as a…
SourceREUNION, FRANCE, July 7, 2003: July, 2003, marked a highpoint in the religious life of the Tamil community of Reunion island. Thousands gathered on July 6 for the Maha Kumbahishegam of the Siva Soupramanien temple of Petit-Bazar on Avenue Ile-of-France in the town of Saint-Andre. The ten-day ceremony was presided over by Shivacharia Kayaroganam Bala Soupramanien from Tiruchy (Tamil Nadu).…
SourcePATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA, INDIA, September 5, 2003: The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala will open for Onam festival on September 6. Melsanthi Perikamana Sankaranarayanan Nampoothiri will open the sreekovil (main sanctum) at 5.30 a.m. in the presence of Thantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajivaru. Udayasthamana pooja, Pushpabhishekam and Padipooja will be conducted on all four days from September 7. The…